Treason by the Book

Description

"Shortly before noon on October 28, 1728, as General Yue Zhongqi, governor-general of the provinces of Shaanxi and Sichuan, surrounded by his retainers, is being carried in his sedan chair back to his office in Xian, a strangely dressed man runs toward him and tries to present him with a letter. General Yue orders the man to be seized. The letter is addressed to "The Commander in chief deputed by Heaven." When he gets to his office, Yue tells his staff to leave him alone. He tears open the envelope and reads the first few lines. It is as he guessed and feared. The contents of the letter are undiluted treason." "Treason by the Book investigates the attempted rebellion that "Summer Calm," the writer of the letter, was trying to persuade Yue Zhongqi to lead. Jonathan Spence, now regarded as the leading historian of China writing in English, has recovered the evidence of the case and reconstructed its course in a book of complete originality that has the pace and twists of a thriller."--Jacket.

First Sentence

General Yue Zhongqi has risen far and fast, which is what makes the present moment so dangerous for him.

Subjects

Other Editions

• Treason by the BookHardcoverViking Adult2001-03-01
• Yongzheng wang chao zhi da yi jue miShi bao wen hua chu ban qi ye gu fen you xian gong si2002-01-01
• Treason by the BookPenguin (Non-Classics)2002-03-05
• Treason by the BookPenguin Books Ltd2002-04-25